Leadership Equity Summit- November 1, 2019

The Women in Architecture (WIA) Committee hosted architects from across New England for a Leadership Equity Summit at the Blake Hotel in New Haven to discuss crucial issues facing the AEC industry focusing on the longevity of firms and future growth, and how it is vital, in equitable practice, to advocate for emerging professionals, women and minorities to enter, stay, and rise in the AEC professions.   Keynote speaker was Natasha Espada, AIA, BosNOMA, Founder and Principal of STUDIO ENEE, and 2020 BSA President. This event was made possible with a grant from the Connecticut Architecture Foundation and sponsored by Gilbane, Illuminate, DeClerq Office Group, Marvin Windows, Diversity Construction, and Peabody Office.
The day was filled with panel discussions and workshops covering topics:
 How do we recruit and retain top talent?   How do we create fair compensation practices?  How do we better negotiate with our employees and our clients?  How do we combat bias in order to nurture and attract a diverse talent pool?

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This Old House Tour – October 24, 2019

This Old House® teamed up with award-winning building firm KARP Associates, Inc. to build the THIS OLD HOUSE 2019 IDEA HOUSE in a classic-meets-contemporary home located in the coveted historic district of downtown New Canaan, CT.  KARP Associates and CAH Architecture and Design presented a program on their process of gaining approval from the New Canaan Historic District Commission to preserve the 1840’s structure, and the blending of the Idea House’s historical features with the most innovative building materials and methods available today.

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Fellows Dinner – October 18, 2019

The 2019 AIA Connecticut Fellows Dinner was held at the Quinnipiack Club in New Haven to honor Bruce Becker, FAIA, the 2019 Fellowship recipient.  Twenty-two AIA Connecticut and ASLA Fellows attended the dinner and the keynote from Donald Powers AIA, LEED AP, CNU, founder of Union Studio in Providence, RI.  In recent years his work has concentrated on mixed-use planning and architectural design, the goal of which is good buildings in good neighborhoods at the full range of use intensities, from villages to center cities, and with a variety of clients. Don spoke on “The Missing Middle, Found: Rediscovering Lost Types for New Realities”. 

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Connecticut Architecture Conference + Expo – September 12-13, 2019

The first annual Connecticut Architecture Conference + Expo was AIA Connecticut’s largest event to date. It took place from September 12 – 13 at Mohegan Sun where architects, exhibitors, and aligned professionals gathered in the Earth Expo Center for two days of peer led continuing education sessions, relationship building, and more. 

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Stony Creek Quarry Tour – June 26, 2019

The Stony Creek Quarry has been a source of Stony Creek Granite for over 150 years. Its granite has been used for many famous buildings and landscapes including The Smithsonian, and the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. The quarry prides itself in working with their clients in creating a collaborative design experience.  Architects and designers looking to work with local material will always find knowledgeable fabricators and sculptors to work with at every step of the design project. Sustainability is an important factor for the quarry workers, no portion of the material goes unused, and every step is taken to protect the local environment.

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Summer Solstice Networking Night – June 26, 2019

Hosted at Stony Creek Brewery in Branford, CT, AIA Connecticut’s first Summer Solstice Networking Night was an experience that brought together professionals from various industries for a night of raffle prizes, great conversation, and relationship building. 

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Golf Outing – June 11, 2019

Excellent weather, one hundred and forty four golfers, three fabulous food trucks, some fine bocce players, and close to 160 dinner guests added up to make the 2019 Golf Outing a tremendous success. 

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CanStruction – May 9, 2019

Three Connecticut elementary & middle schools gathered on May 9th at the Connecticut Food Bank to partake in an annual event hosted by AIA Connecticut, known as CANstruction.  This year the schools raised a grand total of over 3,800 pounds of food, enough for over 3,200 meals. The competing teams and their entries were a shark made by Savin Rock Community School, West Haven /Newman Architects, New Haven, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz by Gideon Welles School, Glastonbury /JCJ Architecture, Hartford, and the Infinity Gauntlet from Marvel’s Avengers by Wilbert Snow, Middletown/George Penniman Architects, Essex. This year’s judges, Michael Ayles, FAIA of Antinozzi Associates; Max Ballardo, Associate AIA, of Patriquin Architects; and Ben Mayne, Centerbrook Architects were assigned the task to decide the Best Meal Award, the Best Use of Labels Award, the Best Structural Integrity Award, and the Best Original Design. Gideon Welles and JCJ Architecture took home Best Original Design with their rendition of Dorothy and the Yellow Brick Road and Best Use of Labels Award. Savin Rock and Newman Architects were awarded the Best Meal Award, and Wilbert Snow and George Penniman Architects were presented the Structural Integrity.  Click here for photos and additional information.

National Architecture Week – April 22 to April 26, 2019

AIA Connecticut participated in National Architecture Week for the first time with a host of programs and events created to highlight the significant professional and cultural contributions Connecticut architects have made on local, state, national, and international communities. A celebratory breakfast reception at the Main Ives Branch of the New Haven Public Library featured models by local firms, a gathering of AIA CT members, and special remarks by Mayor Toni Harp (Yale School of Architecture Class of 1978). Also, on Monday an exhibit of high school student work opened at AIA CT, featuring the talents of Platt Tech and Bullard-Havens Tech Sustainable Architecture programs. Tuesday featured a lively panel discussion of women owners and principals who also serve on the Women in Architecture committee. The conversations stemming from the topic of the Path to Leadership in Design laid the groundwork for many future round table discussions.

By Wednesday, we were ready to head outside to one of the five lunch time walking tours that took place across the state. The architects and members of historical societies who led the tours were happy to have a magnificent sunny day for their strolls through various neighborhoods of architectural interest. Thursday night’s CAF Gala honored the accomplishments of Gray Organschi, and Saturday brought AIA CT staff and ARE candidates to the Maker Faire in Westport. The week-long celebration was a great success!

Architects Legislative Breakfast- March 27, 2019

Architects from across the state attended the Architects Legislative Breakfast on March 27th at the Officer’s Club in Hartford. Senate and House Representatives were invited to meet with AIA members. It was an opportunity to discuss opposition and support of bills that are in process.

Kicking off the meeting was Jack Butkus, AIA, Chair of the Government Affairs Committee gave an overview of the committee’s current work as well as the continuing work that will occur after the 2019 state session. Glenn Gollenberg, President of AIA Connecticut updated the group on public testimony challenging language on two bills, Senate Bill 1037 and Senate Bill 877.

The group was then joined by Representative Tom Delnicki (R) serving South Windsor, Representative Emil “Buddy” Altobello (D), Assistant Deputy Speaker serving Meriden and Middlefield, and Representative Kerry Wood (D) serving Newington, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield. The Representatives answered questions and apprised the group on the issues. AIA Connecticut’s lobbying firm. Focus Government, James Paolino and Ross Gionfriddo, reported the latest Capitol news and committee deadlines. Executive Director Gina Calabro advised the group of the AIA’s State Government Network (SGN) and the Coalition Against Professional Sales Tax. The SGN was instrumental in spreading the word on the transparency software bill that had already been introduced in 25 states prior to Connecticut. The work continues with architects calling, meeting, and writing their local legislators.

 

 

Joint Industry Dinner – March 12, 2019

AIA Connecticut hosted the annual Joint Industry Dinner on March 12th at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, CT, and was made possible by the Presenting Sponsor Robinson & Cole, and Cocktail Reception/Wine Sponsor Petra Construction Corp.

The Joint Industry Dinner is an annual and exceptional networking opportunity accompanied by a night of collegiality and relationship building.  This year’s event brought together professionals from over 80 companies and businesses to mix and mingle during an engaging night at the Aqua Turf.  New this year as a bonus, Jim DeStefano, AIA, P.E., F.SEI, presented a program, “Building Design and Construction in Connecticut — Past, Present, and Future” that offered an immersive look into building design and construction in Connecticut. The program was generously sponsored by DeStefano & Chamberlain, Inc., Fuss & O’Neill Inc., and Pat Munger Construction.

During dinner, we heard a few words from Noel Petra, the new Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services. as well as AIA Connecticut’s Executive Director, Gina Calabro. We capped off the evening with a raffle, with the aid of Martin Onorato from Robinson and Cole, and some very lucky winners!

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Bowling Invitational – February 26,  2019

AIA Connecticut’s 2019 Bowling Invitational saw a night full of networking, team building and of course, bowling! We had an incredible showing of over 180 attendees who came to AMF Circle Lanes in East Haven to take part in this event. A total of 28 companies came out to show off their bowling skills and had the chance to collect one of our coveted AIA Bowling Pin Awards. 

Although everyone brought their A-Game, one team took first place. Our overall Highest Score winner was BL Companies who brought an impressive team focused on the win.  Our Best Shirt Design First Place was given to Illuminate Connecticut for their clean styled design that encompassed the event and even gave a nod to AIA. Our First Runner Up Best Shirt Design was TLB Architecture with a fun design and bowling-themed team name. (Other awards on our roster included Best Shirt Design Third Place, Highest Scoring Man & Woman, Lowest Scoring Man & Woman, Highest Scoring Architecture & Allied Team, Most Enthusiastic Teams.)

The night could not have been made possible without our 10 Lane Sponsors as well as our Libations Sponsor, Illuminate Connecticut. Our 2019 Bowling Invitational Lane Sponsors were A.W. Hastings & Co., Connecticut Stone, Huber Engineered Woods, Kohler Co., Pella Windows and Doors, SH Acoustics, LLC, O&G Industries, Inc., Shaw Contract, Tile America, and Steelcase, Inc.  Special thanks to all who sponsored and attended this event. 

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DISTRICT Tour and Newly Licensed Reception – January 29,  2019

Watch the tour here!  The DISTRICT is the recently completed adaptive reuse District building designed by architect Ken Boroson, AIA. The former transportation hub provides collaborative working spaces, anchored by a gym and a restaurant. The District redesign has completely transformed not just the site, but the neighborhood, giving new access to a kayak launch on Mill River in New Haven, and inviting a diverse range of start up and small businesses.

Following the tour,  AIA Connecticut held a reception to recognize the 34 newly licensed architects. Those who attended received their license certificate signed by The Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner, Michelle Seagull, and the chairman of the Architectural Licensing Board, David Barkin, AIA.

 

Congratulations to the 2018 Connecticut Newly Licensed Architects:

Theodore O. Baab	Christopher G. McNamara
David Ray Brown	Robert Douglas Metzgar
Carl Peter Carfi	Christopher Thomas Milliard
Laurel F. Clark	Samuel A. Olsen
Brian Cleveland	Brian Park
Kyle David Cruz	Marek Patrosz
James Driscoll	Jeannette Penniman
Kyle Walker Graham	Dena A. Prastos
Michael House	Amarantha Zyanya Quintana-Morales
Eriko Kawamura	Ryan T. Ralston
Ramiz Khoda	Kevin Rugarber
Matthew Thomas Kozikowski	Jeffrey Senatore
Standish Lee	Michael Stinnett
Myung Jae Lee	Kachatorn Tongsri
Meredith Lenzini	Omarys Vasquez
Matthew J Lopes	Corey Yurkovich
Alexander John McKeton	Shannon Ashley Zwick